I just wanted to say a big mahalo to the HURT ohana for welcoming me, Bryson, Steven, and Jimmy into the many facets of the 2017 HURT 100. Thank you for allowing us to capture the unfolding drama on film. If you were at the dinner, we hope that you enjoyed the highlight reel our team put together for HURT. As hard as they worked to haul heavy camera gear up up Nu'uanu ridge and beyond, Bryson and Steven are working even harder right now on the official trailer. We look forward to kicking the crowdfunding into high gear shortly and hope you'll consider supporting the film and sharing the trailer with your family and friends on social media. Imagine being able to share the HURT story and the unmatched beauty of Hawai'i's trails and the drama of the HURT 100 on the big screen with your family and friends....this is is what is driving the passion behind this project. We all know we have an amazing story to tell!

Thank you again, and please like and follow our facebook page, linked below, to see the trailer when it comes out in the next week or two! Donations can be given on the link at the bottom of www.hurt100film.com.

PS: Aerial shot on top is of the huge tree right at the junction of the side trail that leads to Pauoa Flats lookout and the trail down to Paradise Park. So cool to see it in the sea of bamboo from the air! Expect to see many more views that are now only possible with drones...we got so much cool stuff to share with you guys!

For those running, pacing, and volunteering at the HURT 100 we are a mere 8 days away! We are planning to run a reverse Trek loop (~10 miles) at an easy pace tomorrow, Saturday, January 7, starting at 7:00 am in the Nature Center. Join us!

Work shifts range in duration from 6 to 8 hours each. There are many different duties and you may request a specific role if that matters to you. You are strongly encouraged to bring your best attitude to support the 125 runners all while having a fantastic and fun experience. So go ahead and click on your preferred location to get the process started.

SHORT VERSION: email me for link to google drive to submit old pics of HURT ohana for rad new documentary in the works about the history of HURT! (matt.stevens.417@gmail.com) This is the link to see what pics have been gathered so far, but I'll send you a link if you have pics to upload. The older the pics, the better, in general, especially pics that are candid and catch the raw emotion of HURT.

Long version: This is Matt Stevens writing from Oregon. If you've never heard of me, I'm the guy who used to race Out and Back in women's Montrails, a fact which Cheryl Loomis will never let me forget...that's enough personal info. for the time being.

So with Big John's blessing, I will be coming out to the HURT 100 this year with a new friend and filmmaker named Steven Mortinson. Steven is originally from southern OR, an ultra runner and an amazing filmmaker. (http://www.stevenmortinson.com/) I first met him this July up at Mount Hood when he was on day 7 of 8 filming HURT 100 veteran Yassine Diboun and 2 other PNW runners attempt the FKT on the Oregon section of the PCT. Steven's a great guy and I know you guys at HURT this year will enjoy getting to know him. I had seen his one minute "Get After It" edit for the Wy'East Wolfpack and thought "dang, this guy's got skills." As a drone photographer, his final few sequences with the drone shot on the ridge above the Columbia River blew me away. Nate Lewis and I met up with the crew and had fun doing some filming, droning and just generally being groupies in the FKT attempt.

A month ago, he premiered the full film of "One Step at A Time" (click for trailer here) in Portland to much excitement in the running community hear. It is currently making the rounds across the country in a Trail Running Film Festival. I know, how cool is it that such a film festival is now a thing! (http://www.trailfilmfest.com/) Once I saw the full film "One Step at a Time," I couldn't get two thoughts out of my mind: 1. the story of the HURT ohana over the last 35ish years and how the HURT 100 came from this and developed into it's current state is an amazing story that needs to be told, and 2. Steven has the skill set and passion for running to tell this story the right way and do it justice. Since then, I've been selling this idea to Steven, John and PJ, and others the same way Big John infamously sold me on doing the HURT 100 and then getting me to actually finish, even if turned out to be a five year project! Hopefully this project doesn't take that long.

So with all this in mind and a keen awareness to the special culture of HURT and trying to keep it "free of a$$holes" (Big John's words! (: ) Steven and I are going to be filming in January and trying to tell the story as authentically as we can. We want to use every tool we can, including old pics, videos and rad drone shots to make a film that honors all who have given selflessly to the community to make HURT what it is. Jimmy Wilkinson, my close friend and owner of www.opticalhi.com will be sharing his expertise to capture needed aerial footage and sharing the amazing footage he's already gotten in HI over the past 2 years. (check out his 3 min edit of he and I up on Pu'u Mana Mana to get a taste of his work) With John's support, we are committing to producing a short promo/trailer video to be shown at the HURT dinner in January. We will then be launching a pledge drive online, asking anyone who is interested in having this story told how much they would be willing to pledge to make it happen. If we can reach a still to be determined mark in pledges, we will then ask people to actually give. And if we actually collect the needed funds, we will actually make the film that deserves to be told in as compelling as way possible. Actually! (:

My passion for doing this is simple: I want to honor the people (read: you guys) who have made this community and race what it is, especially John and PJ. Through all of the physical ups and downs, I am humbled that John and PJ do this year in and year out to foster the kind of life transforming community and event that has touched so many hundreds of people. Their (and mine!) prime running days may be in their past, but they keep giving and giving and giving. I find this amazing and inspiring and want to thank them for how HURT changed me and made my wife and kids part of the ohana. We know that many other great films have been made about the HURT 100, but we want to get more at the history with this project.

And though my part is small of the story, it is significant for me. Richard Senelly and PJ spent hundreds/thousands of hours investing in us Pac Five knucklehead kids. They taught me love the trails and adventure and friends. Big John and PJ came to our track meets and John still BS's about the time I lost to Valencia. At age 22, I had run 2:46 at HNL marathon and thought I was tough enough to win HURT and run sub 24. I know, don't laugh...I was naive enough to believe it. I crashed and burned like most HURT virgins and dropped at 72, vowing never to return. But John convinced me to return, and and five years later I found myself at mile 80 at 8 am feeling optimistic about actually finishing. And then the wheels came off, I got sick, discouraged, my heel was coming unglued and Jeff Huff, who was feeling fine in his race, slowed WAY the crap down and basically held my hand for 15 long painful miles that were filled with plenty of swearing and whining, and got me to the finish. So by age 29, the HURT ohana had taught me that it is ok to dream big about winning and crap like that, but learning that you have genuine friends that will tolerate you at your worst to help you finish is infinitely more amazing and is pretty useful for making it through the harder parts of life that we will all face.

So that's it. Props to anyone who got this far, and I hope you guys can find a little time to dig up some old pics and video because they are crucial to telling the story. Please email me directly, and I will send you link giving you access to upload pics. We are hoping to get the story arc in place before getting to HI, so any pics you can upload sooner than later would be much appreciated.

A tough and grueling race such as the Peacock Challenge 55 requires an equally tough and determined race director in its helm. Freddy Halmes stepped up and took the lead in keeping this beastly event going. His hard work, persistence, and big heart made this race not only a reality but a success story.

In fact, he is already preparing for next year's race on top of organizing the Tiki Lounge aid station in Nuuanu for the HURT 100!

Sandi (Myra, Linda, and Joe C.) - Thank you for taking always notes when we are together. After hearing that you guys had a "Team" going on at the tracking station I did not really get it until I saw the pictures :)

Steve and Rosie (Andy and 1 more person) - Thank you for spending the day "training" up on the mountain. You helped us make this event much safer.

Wily - This race would NOT have been the way it was without his help, ingenuity, know-how, and talent for effect (did you see the landing strip he made for the finish line?

Glenn, Iris and Jaren Oshiro, Benita, Daintry, and Kana - For sweeping and cleaning up the course, Thank you!

Michael Cole and Luke - Thank you for directing everyone where to park with your red wands. Next year, we'll get you bullhorns, too.

Here's a touching note from one of the participants:

Freddy,

I am the tattooed up Marine who ran with Dave Bauman (another one). We are more than grateful for your willingness to allow the both of us to participate in the 2016 Peacock Challenge this year. We really are. You didn't have to and you went on the word of another (Gordon) who personally vouched for us, despite our making the qualifications to do so. I would argue that even most military men/women can't do this race and you were "putting your neck/reputation/name on the line" in order to do so.

Words can't express to you how grateful we are that you did this. It was, by far, the most challenging ultra that I have ever done and you already know that I've done a few (to include 100 milers). The terrain alone is brutal. That, coupled with the distance, it just about impossible. Despite our rigorous training, we STILL only came in 45 minutes prior to the horn blowing.

Much of the race, all that we could think about was not letting our families down, not letting ourselves down and not letting Gordon and Freddy down. Seriously.

Seriously. The support was so beyond what was expected of us that I personally think that you guys could easily charge much more. The bang-for-buck ratio was outstanding. Amazing staff that came to support the race. Just amazing.

From the bottom of our hearts......thanks, brother. Thank you very much. A memory that will forever be embedded in our hearts.

Please share this will all staff that you deem applicable, sir.

Semper Fidelis,

Capt Port, Patrick J. - USMC

From PJ to Freddy:

Congratulations Freddy on a very successful Peacock 55. We are so glad you brought it back. I think we were skeptical of pulling it off, but you put together a very professional event. All the runners, as well as the volunteers, had a great time. You thought of everything, and we all appreciate how much time and effort you put into the race. It was a good one Freddy! Thank you from all of us! We love you!

Bib pick up begins at 5:15 am, the race starts at 6am. Place bibs on the front of the body, we need to account for you all over a vast course.

Park in designated parking area, WE MUST NOT PARK IN THE DILLINGHAM AIRFIELD PARKING LOT.

Utilize the portable potties at the race start,WE MUST NOT USE THE RESTROOMS AT THE DILLINGHAM AIRFIELD PARKING LOT.

It is recommended that you carry a minimum of 50 ounces of fluid, a flashlight and (backup), cell phone and the course map.

It will be early when the run starts, there are houses near the start/finish line. We ask that we keep the noise to a level, so not to disturb the residents.

During The Event:

No littering on the course. Abide by all the rules of the event. Future permitting of the event relies upon your Kokua.

Stay on the trail. Utilize the portable toilets provided (Start/Finish and Long Road)

Check in / out of each aid station. If you drop from the event you must advise an aid station captain, so we know you have left the course.

Be kind and courteous to race volunteers. Abide by the directions of our aid station captains, and race patrol volunteers. We love our volunteers and this event would not happen without them. Mistreatment, back talk, and profanity towards the volunteers will not be tolerated. We don’t have an exclusive use permit for the event, we will be sharing the trail with hikers.

Cutoffs will be utilized, they are as follows:

Start/Finish (Conclusion of Lap 1): 2:00 pm

Three Way Aid Station (Second Lap / After Satellite Tracking Station): 6:00 pm

Long Road (Second Lap) 7:30 pm

Finish Line: 10:00 pm

After The Event:

The Airfield is secured at sundown. We have been advised that security will allow exit at @ 30-minute increments once secured. Plan your exit accordingly.

It will be dark when most finish, again please be respectful of the noise level with the neighbors.

We also wanted to remind you that parking will be in the field adjacent to the Start marked as red in the map below. A marshal will be there to direct parking. Do NOT park anywhere else. Carpooling is highly recommended.

The 25th Tantalus Triple Trek is now in the books!! Big congratulations to all who participated! You made this event a big success! Billy Barnett and Malory Peterson won their respective divisions.

They say a race is only as good as it's race director, but I say that's completely wrong. Thanks to a huge amount of support and team work exceeded expectations!!! Firstly major kudos to my co-race directors Sandi and Loren who went beyond the call countless times! Really love and enjoy teaming with you two!

Big Mahalo to the following (I'm sorry if I miss anyone):John and PJ Salmonson for all the support and guidance;Team Shults for organizing and managing the Kalawahine aide station. Plus their awesome volunteers: Liza, Katie, and Daintry;Freddy Halmes for being the man that does it all (trail marking and removal, set up, clean up, and removing the fallen tree on Makiki Valley trail);The HNC start/finish aide station crew: Heather, Iris, Myra, Ruby, Amanda, Caroline, Matt, Alex, and Kristian;Crack course marshals who did double duty (at the aide stations): Vicki, Ruby, Caroline, Amanda, Myra, and Kristian;Course photos: Kalani Pascual;Set-up of the start/finish: Farmer Augusto;Set-up/clean up of the start/finish while also running the race: Mike Hee, Jaren and Glen Oshiro...really going beyond the call!!!Sending much aloha to Cheryl, Marian, and Neal whose presence were greatly missed!